Municipal Solid Waste Management (MSWM) is a significant challenge in India, given the country's rapidly growing population and urbanization. While there have been some efforts to improve waste management practices, there is still a long way to go.
As of 2021, India generates around 277 million tonnes of municipal solid waste per year, and only about 22-28% of it is processed or treated. The rest of the waste ends up in landfills, open dumping sites, or littered on streets and public spaces, causing severe health and environmental hazards.
The Government of India launched the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) in 2014 to address the issue of MSWM, and to achieve 100% scientific and hygienic waste management by October 2019. However, the progress toward this goal has been slow, and many challenges remain.
One of the primary challenges is the lack of adequate infrastructure and resources for waste management, especially in smaller towns and rural areas. The existing infrastructure, including waste collection and transportation, treatment, and disposal facilities, is often inadequate and outdated.
Another major challenge is the lack of public awareness and participation in waste management. Many people are not aware of the importance of proper waste disposal, and some continue to litter and dump waste in public spaces.
There have been some positive developments in recent years, such as the implementation of solid waste management rules in 2016, which mandate waste segregation, processing, and disposal, and the promotion of decentralized waste management systems like composting and bio-methanation. Additionally, some cities have initiated public-private partnerships and innovative models for waste management, such as waste-to-energy projects and citizen engagement programs.
Overall, while there have been some efforts to improve MSWM in India, there is still a long way to go in terms of infrastructure, resources, public awareness, and implementation.